BP Opposes Power Plant + Queens Blvd Construction • Daily Digest

Good morning, Queens! It's Friday, Sept. 24.

Your Headlines: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has finally concluded he's against a proposal to replace an Astoria fossil-fuel burning plant with one powered by gas. His decision comes more than a year after environmental advocates and politicos began opposing the project.

A redesign project undertaken to improve safety standards on Queens Boulevard will wrap up Oct. 29, just days ahead of schedule.

And, at last, reconstruction of the Astoria Park playground is complete and the park is now open. The upgrade is part of a $30 million renovation program touted by Mayor Bill de Blasio to refurbish one frequently-used park in each of the five boroughs.

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Now today's weather: Rain in the morning. High: 71, low: 58.

Here are the top stories in Queens today:

1. A Queens museum is receiving $26.4M to complete its expansion. (New York Business Journal)
2. Local readers are sounding off on housing courts, Mitch McConnell and transportation in Queens. (New York Daily News)
3. A mattress giveaway in Queens is putting post-Ida desperation in the spotlight. (CBS New York)
4. Student journalists in Queens are reflecting on a year of COVID-19 reporting. (FOX 5 NY)
5. A North Carolina developer is investing in a Queens site for a first foray into NYC. (Bisnow)
6. How does "Once Upon A Time In Queens" capture New York City life circa 1986? (Forbes)

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Today in Queens:

• Q.E.D. hosts Transplants Comedy standup in Astoria. (7:30 p.m.)
• The Governor's Ball Music Festival takes place this weekend at Citi Field. (All Day)
• Legendary rockers Cheap Trick perform at Irving Plaza. (6 p.m.)
• LIVE at Culture Lab LIC — Free Outdoor Concert with Glass Town. (9 p.m.)

Queens Patch Notebook

• Queens Borough President Donovan Richards: "See you tonight at 6:30 p.m., #Astoria, for our first in a series of Regional Town Halls across #Queens." (Facebook)
• Queens Botanical Garden: "Here are happy tots who have just made herb-infused olive oil at the Garden! Get outdoors with your toddler in our Garden Buds program. The next set of four sessions starts on Oct. 15! Harvest, make art and more!" (Facebook)
• Queens Chamber of Commerce: "Join Us - SBA Hurricane Ida Financial Assistance for Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations and Individuals in NY and NJ declared disaster areas. The disaster declaration covers Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond and Westchester counties." (Facebook)
• Queens Chamber of Commerce: "Last year the coronavirus pandemic halted our ability to host this ceremony, but it did not halt all the #development within the borough. Join us for a cocktail reception at the iconic TWA Hotel as we celebrate two years of development!" (Facebook)
• Queens, New York: "A Queens artist is releasing a fall line of face masks. (Bee Embroidery, Reversible, Adjustable, Washable, Non-Medical)." (Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

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Events:

• Final Nice One! Comedy Show at the Shannon Pot (September 24)
• Community Yard Sale (September 25)
• Thrift & Treasures This Weekend! (September 25)
• OPEN HOUSE! Peace & Tranquility Perfectly Restored In Douglas Manor, NYC (September 25)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you around! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kevin Phinney

About me: Kevin Phinney has lived and worked as a writer and editor in Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle and New York City. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in El Paso. Phinney attended college in Austin. He has done television work as a reporter and commentator, and is a former host of a weekday drive-time radio show called "Kevin & Kevin in the Morning" on KGSR-FM (now known as Austin City Limits Radio). He is also the author of "Souled American, " a book tracking race relations in America through music. It was published by BILLBOARD Books, and is often used in college classrooms across the country.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? You can contact me at kevin.phinney@patch.com.